June 7, 2004

June 5, 2004

For the first time in recent history, more than 80 student-athletes garnered a GPA of 3.0 or higher during the spring semester. As a result, the Spring 2004 Bronc Pride 3.0 Club will induct a record 73 student-athletes, who earned a minimum 3.0 GPA while maintaining full-time enrollment.

"At the University of Texas - Pan American, our athletic department remains committed to the concept of the student-athlete and ensures that the academic achievement of our student-athletes remains a top priority," said Director of Athletics William J. Weidner. "This outstanding performance by our student-athletes in the academic arena continues to demonstrate that on-going commitment. We congratulate all of our student-athletes for a job well done."

In addition, the departmental cumulative GPA also rose for the ninth time in 10 semesters since the fall of 1999. The Bronc student-athletes posted a cumulative GPA of 2.88 - up from a 2.84 GPA during the 2003 fall semester. The student-athlete cumulative GPA from the spring (2.88) was higher than the undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.66, as reported by the UTPA Office of Admissions & Records.

UTPA had 85 student-athletes earn a semester GPA of 3.0 or higher during the 2004 spring academic term. That number accumulated to 44 percent of all UTPA student-athletes. The Broncs had 63 student-athletes earn a GPA of 3.2 or higher while 41 finished with a 3.5 or higher, earning Dean's List Second Honors. A total of 14 student-athletes earned a perfect 4.0 GPA en route to earning Dean's List First Honors.

The women's golf team supplanted women's tennis (2001, 2002, 2003 ITA Academic All-America Team), earning the highest semester team GPA of 3.37 while also recording the highest cumulative team GPA of 3.25. On the men's side, the Broncs' tennis team posted the highest semester team GPA of 3.31 and maintained the top cumulative team GPA of 3.13. The men's cross country squad made a dramatic improvement in its team GPA will look to challenge the men's tennis program for academic supremacy during the 2004 fall semester.

The United Stated Achievement Academy recognized 35 UTPA student-athletes, representing 13 of the 14 NCAA Division I programs as 2003 "All-American" Sport Scholars for their outstanding commitment to academics. The Broncs honored 34 student- athletes by naming them to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll for maintaining a 3.0 GPA during the last full academic year. That total was also a record for UTPA.

"I'm very proud of our student-athletes and the manner in which they strive to maintain and reach their academic goals," said Chris Uchacz, Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Support and Student Service. "We're still striving to reach that 3.0 plateau as a department and when we do, we will be amongst the nation's elite."

UTPA